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| Juvenile Justice Program MNDC Second Chances A Court Diversion Service
Individuals involved in MNDC’s proposed Second Chances, an initiative for court diversion services for Montclair and surrounding urban area youth will be referred by the Montclair Police Department’s Juvenile Division Unit, Essex County Youth Services Commission, Juvenile Conference Committee, Family Crisis Intervention Unit, Family Court, or other local law enforcement officers. MNDC has demonstrated consistent positive outcomes in providing services to the youth and families it serves. It has an over 35 year history of providing recreational, mentoring, life skills and other valuable skills to youth at risk. In a recent Annual Report of the Juvenile Delinquency Commission, it stated that, “Certain personality characteristics have been linked to delinquency. These include lack of self-control, low self-esteem and sense of mastery, limited future-orientation and little sense of responsibility for ones actions”. The services provided by MNDC are geared to identify a youth’s strengths, academic and career potentials through its commitment to addressing the whole individual through job skills training and readiness training which emphasize self control; the development of a marketable skills; the development of a sense of responsibility; the building of leadership and other valuable life skills; a desire for upward mobility; and the sense of empowerment which comes from being employed. All programs developed and implemented offer a systematic approach that will create opportunities for placement in employment in labor demand occupations or a potential to move toward more advanced skills training. Most significant, the programs facilitate the foundation of a strong, self-sufficient, and independent adult. Finally, the placement of the youth in a full-time job, with a built-in career ladder, will be a source of increased self-esteem and a sense of self-worth. MNDC will be a resource and referral center for these youth. Second Chances will provide a comprehensive means for these disadvantaged youth to access multiple services through our “one stop center approach” that will facilitate their success in attaining a high school diploma or GED; learn academic skills through mentoring and tutoring; complete a vocational evaluation and plan; learn leadership and other valuable workforce readiness skills; become exposed to essential life skills; participate in recreation and cultural activities; find solutions and strategies that eliminate obstacles that hinder growth and success; identify alternatives to participation in violence and gangs; and find resources for the youth and their families in order to provide supplemental support services that will lead to lasting results with both economic, academic, and social fulfillment. top |
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Effective 4/1/2006
MNDC was awarded funds by the Juvenile Justice Commission of Essex County to
run a court diversion program, we call “Second Chances” for a minimum of 20
Essex County young people for the remainder of 2006.